How to Treat Water Intoxication

Water intoxication is an acute condition caused by consumption of more than 10 litres of water over a period of few minutes. Water intoxication can be fatal and can cause death. Water intoxication usually occurs in the settings of water drinking contests, overenthusiastic use of water during exercise and in people with psychiatric illness who are obsessed with water such as psychogenic polydipsia or Primary polydipsia. After prompt diagnosis, prompt treatment should be started. Follow the steps to learn how to treat this condition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Stop taking more water. Restrict other fluids such as soda and juice. This may be all that you need in mild intoxication that may remain asymptomatic.
2. Use diuretic medicine such as Lasix (furasemide) or HCTZ. This will eliminate excessive water by increasing urination.
3. Use intravenous normal saline in severe cases to restore sodium electrolyte levels.
4. Use vasopressin receptor antagonists such as Tolvaptan In more severe cases.
5. Monitor blood electrolyte levels and vital signs very closely.
6. Treat the underlying mental illness if that was the cause of the water intoxication.
7. Talk to your doctor how much water you would require daily to keep you healthy while at the same time avoid water intoxication.